Robert Quinn Named PFWA Defensive Player of the Year

In what could be the first of a host of awards this offseason, Rams DE Robert Quinn was named the Defensive Player of the Year by the Professional Football Writers of America on Wednesday.

Quinn put on one of the most dominant seasons by a defensive end in Rams history this year, collecting a team-record 19 sacks. He also forced seven fumbles, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Quinn was also a force against the run in 2013, as he paced the Rams with 18 tackles for loss. Quinn’s 19 sacks were the most in the NFC, and placed him just a half-sack behind Indianapolis’ Robert Mathis for the NFL lead. His seven forced fumbles were the most by a Ram since Leonard Little forced nine in 2002.

Quinn posted five multi-sack games during the 2013 season, including the Rams’ home finale, when he corralled Tampa Bay’s Mike Glennon three times to surpass Kevin Carter’s previous team record of 17 sacks in a season.

His performance has also put him in competition for the Associated Press’ NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, which will be announced Feb. 1. If Quinn were to win that award, which has been handed out by the AP since 1971, he would become the first Rams player to do so.

Quinn became the second Rams player in as many days to be recognized by the PFWA. Rookie LB Alec Ogletree, who led the Rams with 155 tackles this season, was named to the PFWA all-rookie team.